Last year we celebrated the May holidays mainly at home or at most at the dacha, but now there is an opportunity to escape from the routine somewhere far away. We have selected eight countries open to Russian tourists with excellent weather and no quarantine. All can be quickly reached by plane. Choose!
Jordan
Entry conditions
You will need two negative PCR tests: the first must be taken no more than 72 hours before departure, the second at the airport upon arrival. It is important that you must pay for the second study before departure. If you are arriving at Amman airport, you can do this here, and if your destination is Aqaba, here.
Must-see in the country
People come here mainly to explore historical sights, including ancient Petra with the El-Khazneh mausoleum, the ancient fortified city of Gadara, the Roman settlement of Jarash and the archaeological complex of Um-er-Rasas. Many tourists are attracted by the splendor of the Wadi Rum desert, and religious travelers seek to plunge into the Jordan River.
Unusual sights
Jordan is a country with amazing nature, and you can see not only desert landscapes here. For example, the Dana Biosphere Reserve, which is located on the mountain slopes and is divided into several geographical zones that are completely different from each other. There are routes for short walks, as well as for multi-day hiking (campsites and hotels along the way are also available!), There are trails for mountain bikes.
While relaxing on the Dead Sea coast, do not miss the opportunity to visit the picturesque Wadi Mujib gorge and the nature reserve of the same name. Jordan also has its own thermal springs – Ma’in. These are hot waterfalls reaching 30 meters in height. Not far from them there is a spa center where you can relax after walking or improve your health with multi-day programs.
Montenegro
Entry conditions
Russians are exempt from the need to provide PCR tests.
Must-see in the country
Montenegro is a tiny country on the Balkan Peninsula, located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. People come here to relax on the beaches, wander through ancient streets, eat the freshest seafood and admire the unusual architecture, because in Montenegrin cities buildings of Western and Eastern architecture are mixed. The most favorite destinations among tourists are Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi and Tivat.
Unusual sights
The small ancient town of Perast is slightly less popular than the main resorts of Montenegro, but it deserves attention. In the city, which was once a thriving seaport, palaces, cathedrals and monasteries of the 17th-18th centuries have been preserved. From here you can sail on an excursion to St. George’s Island and look at the ancient abbey of Benedictine monks. Hiking enthusiasts should definitely take a walk through the Lovcen National Park (on one of the peaks there is the mausoleum of Metropolitan Peter II Petrovich Njegos), along the Durmitor mountain range (this place is almost unspoilt by mass tourism), along the canyon of the Tara and Moraca rivers, as well as in the vicinity of Lake Skadar – in May, water lilies bloom there.
Armenia
Entry conditions
PCR test in Armenian, Russian or English, done no earlier than 72 hours before arrival in the country.
Must-see in the country
Beautiful Yerevan continues to retain its special charm and flavor through time. Tourists try not only to visit all the sights of this city, but also to get to the spiritual center of Armenia – Etchmiadzin, along the way enjoying the view of the mountains from the pagan temple in Zvartnots. The most impressive landscape of Ararat opens from the terraces of the Khor Virap monastery, and locals love to relax on Lake Sevan at any time of the year.
Unusual sights
When in Armenia, be sure to find a driver who is willing to spend the whole day with you, or rent a car on the spot and go on a trip on your own. First, go to the village of Voghchaberd and admire the dawn of Ararat from the Charents Arch. Then head to Garni to see the stunningly beautiful pagan temple, the foundations of the palace of ancient kings and the natural wonder of the Basalt Organ, also known as the Symphony of Stones. The final destination is the Geghard Monastery, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Some of its premises are carved out of the rocks, and the gloomy interiors are a real work of art. By the way, be sure to buy gata (sweet pie with nuts) from the grandmothers selling near the walls of Geghard.
Kazakhstan
Entry conditions
PCR test in Russian or English, done a maximum of 72 hours before arrival.
Must-see in the country
Despite the fact that Kazakhstan is our closest neighbor, this country is not very popular among Russian tourists. Mostly, Russians are familiar with such locations as the Singing Dune and the outskirts of Almaty: Turgen waterfalls, Big Almaty Lake, high-mountain skating rink “Medeo”, ski resorts Tabagan and Shymbulak.
Unusual sights
In fact, the nature of Kazakhstan is something more than just mountains and steppes. Sometimes it can truly surprise: what are the alien landscapes of the red-violet Akzhar Mountains, the clay patterns of the Kiin-Kerish and Shekelmes tracts, the multi-colored “layer cake” of the Aktau Cretaceous Mountains, the Charyn Canyon with rock columns, the bizarre hills of Mangistau or the tract? Bozzhyra with its peaks of a gray-blue hue, popularly nicknamed “fangs”.
Egypt
Entry conditions
PCR test in English or Arabic (no older than 72 hours before arrival).
Must-see in the country
The best time to travel to Egypt is from March to June: you can already safely swim in the Red Sea, but the heat has not yet reached its peak. People usually come to this country for excellent diving and, of course, for the monuments of ancient civilization: must-sees include the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the temples of Luxor, the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, the sanctuaries carved into the rock of Abu Simbel, the Colossi of Memnon and the Egyptian National Museum. in Cairo.
Unusual sights
If you want your holiday in Egypt to be remembered forever, conquer the Sinai Mountains – picturesque granite peaks with layers of crystalline schists. Climbing the famous Mount Sinai is easy and accessible to travelers of almost any level of fitness. The Sinai Peninsula is also home to the impressive fortress of St. Catherine’s Monastery, a true oasis in the middle of the desert. Next to it is also the White Desert with karst formations, popularly nicknamed “mushrooms”. Another unusual place is the Colored Canyon near the village of Nuweiba with soft yellow rocks of bizarre shapes.
Serbia
Entry conditions
A maximum of 48 hours before arrival, you must be tested for coronavirus using the PCR method.
Must-see in the country
Guests from Russia are always welcome here. The most popular cities are Belgrade, Subotica, Novi Sad and Nis. Tourists rarely ignore the Belgrade Fortress, the Nikola Tesla Museum, the capital’s Skadarlija art quarter, the Djerdap Gorge, the open-air ethnographic museum Sirogojno and the village of Emir Kusturica Drvengrad, built for the filming of the film “Life is a Miracle.”
Unusual sights
It is in Serbia that travelers have the opportunity to ride along the ancient railway – the Shargan Eight. This narrow-gauge railway was laid between the villages of Shargan-Vitasi and Mokra Gora in 1916. The route of retro carriages runs through breathtaking green landscapes.
Another interesting place is the so-called Devil’s City – 202 high stone pillars standing not far from Kuršumlija. Local residents love to tell scary legends about this location. Well, to admire the Serbian nature, visit the Shar Planina National Park.
Albania
Entry conditions
Entry into the country is possible without PCR tests and vaccination certificates.
Must-see in the country
Albania is a tiny state that has not yet been spoiled by mass tourism. Located on the coast of the Adriatic and Ionian seas, it offers guests an excellent beach holiday with relatively cheap hotels and restaurants. Travelers invariably visit the capital, Tirana, and then stop in one of the resort cities: Saranda, Berat, Durres, Vlora or on the Ksamil islands. Popular attractions include Lake Skadar, which Albania shares with Montenegro, the ancient fortress of Rozafa in Shkodra, the ruins of the ancient Greek port of Apollonia, the museum town of Gjirokaster and the ancient fortress of Kruja.
Unusual sights
Interrupt your seaside holiday to get acquainted with breathtaking scenery. In the vicinity of Saranda, for example, there is a karst spring of unusual azure color Syuri-i-Kalter (translated from Albanian its name means “blue eye”), The water temperature in which always remains at around 13 degrees. If you want truly unusual photos and good hiking, go to Teth National Park. Here, be sure to visit the Grunas mountain gorge, the Gyechay waterfall, and if you are interested in mountaineering, conquer the two-thousand-meter peaks Radohima and Arapi. Another beautiful place is the artificial Lake Koman on the Drina River, surrounded by green cliffs. Having arrived here, visit the surrounding villages to get acquainted with the life of the local residents and real Albanian cuisine.
Turkey*
Entry conditions
*From April 15 to June 1, Russia suspended regular and charter flights with Turkey. The exception will apply only to two regular flights per week between Moscow and Istanbul.
Recommendations for passengers whose flight to Turkey is scheduled between April 15 and June 1, 2021 can be found in a separate article.
Photo: unsplash.com
